Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com
offers both test strips and midstream tests that measure the presence of the
hormone hCG in your urine. HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a glycoprotein
hormone secreted by the developing placenta shortly after fertilization. The
appearance of hCG soon after conception and its subsequent rise in concentration
during early gestational growth make it an excellent marker for the early detection
of pregnancy.

Q: Test
Sensitivity and Early-Detection: Does the hCG level of the test matter?

Not all pregnancy tests
are created equal. Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com
provides the most sensitive pregnancy tests on the market. The more sensitive
the test, the earlier the opportunity to detect pregnancy. Our tests can detect
pregnancy even with a small amount of hCG in your system. Concentrations of
hCG are reported in milliInternational Units (mIU) or amounts equal to 1/1000th
of an IU per milliliter. Pregnancy tests with a sensitivity of 20 mIU/ml are
more sensitive than tests with 50 to 100 mIU/ml.

At 20 mIU/ml, high sensitivity equates to early detection of pregnancy. -That means
you can begin testing accurately as early as six to eight days after
conception - well before your first missed period. NOTE: Conception may
take place several days after date of intercourse, so the date of intercourse
should not be viewed as the necessary day of conception.

Q: How
do I use the Early-Pregnancy-Tests pregnancy
test?

Taking a home pregnancy
test is simple - though instructions must be followed precisely for both test
strips and midstream tests. For test strips, immerse the strip into the urine
sample with the arrow end pointing towards the urine. Do not immerse past the
MAX (Marker Line). Take the strip out after 3 seconds and lay the strip flat
on a clean, dry, non-absorbent surface. Next, wait for colored bands to appear.
Depending on the concentration of hCG in the test specimen, positive results
may be observed in as little as 40 seconds. However, to confirm negative results,
the complete reaction time of 5 minutes is required. Do not read results after
the 5 minute reaction time. For complete test instructions, click here: Pregnancy
Test Strips Instructions.

With the pregnancy midstream
test, turn the test stick so that the handle is facing you and the absorbent
tip is located on the bottom, facing down. With the handle side of the test
stick facing you and the twin absorbent tip pointing in a downward direction,
hold the test stick in your stream of urine (and hold it for at least six seconds
so that adequate urine contacts the absorbent end). Seal the absorbent windows
with the cap. In 2 to 5 minutes, a rose-pink color band (control band) will
appear in the window to show that the test is complete. For complete instructions
and images for interpreting results, click here: Pregnancy
Midstream Test Instructions.

Q:
How accurate are home pregnancy tests?

Under laboratory conditions,
home pregnancy tests are 99% percent accurate. Inaccuracies are most often traced
or errors in application or failure to follow instructions with care. There
are circumstances and variables - discussed in questions below - that may impact
pregnancy test results (from fertility medications to dilution of urine sample).

Q: How
long do I need to hold my urine? Is first morning urine the best sample?

Because home pregnancy tests
detect hCG, it is best to collect urine samples containing the highest presence
of the hCG hormone. Diluted samples (from drinking high volumes of water / frequent
urination) are not recommended and can diminish test accuracy. Instead, first
morning urine is considered the ideal sample as it contains the most concentrated
presence of hCG. Otherwise, waiting several hours (4-5 minimum) is also considered
sufficient duration for an HPT.

Q:
If the test band is faint, is the pregnancy test positive?

A positive result will always
be indicated by the presence of a distinct color band in the 'test' region of
the pregnancy test strip or midstream test (accompanied by the presence of the
'control' band). If the test is faint (in comparison to the control band), the
test may be positive, though the presence of hCG in the woman's body - or urine
sample - may be low. The presence of hCG doubles every two days in a pregnant
woman. In cases where a faint test color band is present, we recommend that
you retake the test the following day using first morning urine. Again, following
test instructions is critical. Click here for our Instructions
Page.

Q: How
is it possible to receive a "False Positive" result on a pregnancy
test?

False positive tests are
rare - though there are instances and conditions where they can occur. For example,
some tissues in a non-pregnant woman can produce hCG, though the levels
are usually so low they are not detectable by home pregnancy tests (though our
tests are the most sensitive on the market). Secondly, research indicates that
half of all "conceptions" (fertilized eggs) do not go forward as a developing
pregnancy. Within this group, a proportion are recognized as "a chemical
pregnancy" - a pregnancy in which there is a positive pregnancy test and
no other signs or symptoms).

Moreover, A percentage of
"false positive" pregnancy tests can be attributed to misinterpretation
of results due to a failure to follow test instructions with precision. You
should not rely on any positive result that does not show up within the
time limit stated in the test instructions (see next question below).

Q: What
if the test is negative after the 5 minute reaction time, but becomes positive
after an hour?

Do not attempt
to interpret results after the five minute test reaction time. Depending on
the concentration of hCG in the test specimen, positive results may be observed
in as little as 40 seconds. However, to confirm negative results, the complete
reaction time of 5 minutes is required. A positive result can only be
determined within this time interval. A percentage of "false positive"
pregnancy tests can be attributed to misinterpretation of results due to a failure
to follow test instructions with precision. Here, you should not
rely on any positive result that does not show up within the time limit stated
in the test instructions. All pregnancy test brands have the possibility
of displaying an evaporation line.

Q: Can
I be pregnant and not get a positive HPT (a False Negative result)?

False negative results
are more common than false positives - and are primarily due to inaccuracies
in timing of the test or carelessness in the test procedure itself. Please follow
test instructions with circumspection and precision. A false negative result
can also stem from using a diluted urine sample and/or from taking a test too
early in pregnancy. First morning urine contains the most concentrated presence
of hCG - which makes it the ideal sample for pregnancy testing.

Additionally, at the same
gestational stages, women produce quantitatively different levels of hCG - which
means that the first indication of a positive result on a home pregnancy test
may vary between women, despite similar gestational stage. If you suspect you
are pregnant, you should see your doctor for a blood hCG test no matter what
result you get from any home pregnancy test.

The only medications that
can cause a false positive on a home pregnancy test are those than contain hCG
itself. If you are taking fertility medications with hCG - e.g. Novarel, Profasi,
Pregnyl - please consult your doctor regarding appropriate times and circumstances
for using our tests. Other fertility drugs and medications that do not contain
hCG will not precipitate false positive results. Similarly, progesterone will
not cause a false positive as well.

The ovulation predictor
kit is designed to detect luteinizing hormone, or LH. In elevated quantities,
LH causes ovulation. During the menstrual cycle only a small amount of LH is
made, but in the middle of the cycle LH briefly and dramatically increases.
This increase is called the "LH surge" and precedes ovulation. Conception
is most likely to occur within thirty-six hours following the LH surge.
Our ovulation tests are specifically designed to detect your LH surge - the
time when you are likely to ovulate, the best time to conceive a baby.

Q: What
is the best time of day to take the ovulation test?

Unlike pregnancy tests,
morning is not the ideal time to take ovulation tests, as LH is synthesized
in your body early in the morning. It will not show up in urine until later
in the day. The ideal
time to test is in the afternoon, around 2pm, though testing may safely take
place from 10am to early evening.

Q: Should
I take the test the same time every day?

Yes, be sure to test at
the same time each day. Also, reduce your liquid intake around 2 hours before
testing urine as a diluted liquid sample can prevent LH detection.

Q: When
should I beginning testing with the ovulation predictor kit?

To determine when to start
testing, you must first determine the length of your menstrual cycle. The length
of the menstrual cycle is the number of days from the first day of menstrual
bleeding to the day before bleeding begins on the next period. Determine the
usual length of the menstrual cycle over the last few months. Then, refer to
the Cycle Chart to determine on which day of the menstrual cycle to begin testing.

Your
Cycle Length

Day
to Begin Testing

21 days

Day 5

22 days

Day 6

23 days

Day 7

24 days

Day 8

25 days

Day 9

26 days

Day 10

27 days

Day 11

28 days

Day 12

29 days

Day 13

30 days

Day 14

31 days

Day 15

32 days

Day 16

33 days

Day 17

34 days

Day 18

35 days

Day 19

36 days

Day 20

37 days

Day 21

38 days

Day 22

39
days

Day
23

Q: How
long after my LH surge will ovulation take place?

Generally, ovulation will
take place 12-48 hours after the LH surge is first detected (using afternoon
urine samples), though 36 hours is considered to be the average length of time
following the LH surge.

Q: When
I get a positive on an ovulation test, when is the best time to have intercourse?

To increase the chance of
conception, it is best to have intercourse the day of the LH surge as well as
following three days after.

Q: Does
the appearance of faint 'test band' indicate an LH surge?

A faint line (or a faint
positive test band) does not indicate a positive result for an LH surge. While
the presence of a faint line on a pregnancy test may indicate a positive result,
a faint line on an OPK is always negative. Please refer to the images on our
instruction pages to interpret
results.

Q: Does
taking my basal body temperature tell me the same thing as an OPK?

Basal Body Temperature only
tells of your LH surge after it is over. That is why the BBT method cannot predict
the LH surge. Ovulation tests will tell you - with pinpoint accuracy - when
your chances for conception are greatest.

Q: Can
OPKs be used as contraception devices?

Ovulation tests are designed
to help facilitate pregnancy. They are not recommended for contraception.